Steam-trap



(No Model.)

J. MOREHEAD,

QTEAM TRAP.

Patented July 31, 1883.

WITNESSES A Home N. PETERS. min-Lithographer. Wnhingtnn. n. c.

4o 7 opens a suitable valve whereby the water is discharged, when theweight restores the ves- "U ITED "STATES PATENT UFFicii;

STEAM-TRAP.

SiEOIFICATION forming palrt of Letters Patent No. 282,353, dated J uiy31 I883."

Application filed January 4, 1883; (No models) have invented anew anduseful Improvement in Steam-Traps, and I declare the following to be afull, clear, andexact description of the same, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it,reference-being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to that class of steamtraps for which LettersPatent were issued to me September 5, 1882, No. 263,716; and my presentinvention consists in a novel combination of devices, which will befully hereinafter explained, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of an apparatus embodyingmy invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. .Fig. 3 is a verticalsection, showing parts in elevation.

My invention has for its object the construction of steam-traps adaptedto free steam-pipes from the condehsed water which may accumulatetherein.

In steam-traps heretofore constructed the mechanism has often been ofsuch a nature as to render it diflicult or impossible to tell when it isworking correctly, or whether steam is escaping with the condensedwater.

'It is the purpose of my invention to remedy this difficulty and toconstruct a steam-trap in which the mechanism shall be visible, easy ofaccess, and which shall be simple and efficient in its operation. Iaccomplish this result by suspending a suitable vessel or water-ch amberone side of the center of gravity, said vessel being provided with aweighted arm to'keep it in a suitable position until thewateraccuinulates sufficiently in the vessel to counterbalance theweight and tilt the vessel, which tilting sel to a proper equilibrium,ready for the accumulation of another charge of condensed water. In thedrawings, A represents the vessel or water-chamber in which thecondensed water is accumulated. A is the cover adapted to be firmlysecured thereto. I B and B are'thehollow supporting-arms, secured tosaid vessel at one side of its center of gravity. They form thereceiving and discharge arms of the vessel, respectively. Thesupporting-arm B communicates with an upright inlet-pipe, a, on theinterior of the vesdensed water in the vessel. The arm B is alsoconnected with the steam-pipe O by means of a slipjoint, D, secured tosaid arm by means of anut, b, with suitable intervening packing to makethe joint tight and prevent the escape 6o i of water or'steam.

E isa water-passage or outlet-pipe extending along the bottom. of thevessel and communicating both with the interior of the vessel, as shownat e, and with the hollow supporting-arm B. I prefer that said pipe Eshould be constructed with open ends and closed by plugs, by removingwhich said pipe may readily be cleaned.

"Connected with the outer end of the sup- 7o" porting-arm B is avalve-chamber, F, provided with any suitable valve, said valveconstructed with a valve-stem,-f.

G is a' lever engaged with said valve-stem,

and with a supporting-arm, 9, connected with the end of the lever, and aguide-arm, g, said lever provided with a lug or stop, G", theconstruction being such that when the vessel tilts the valve is opened,and when the vessel is re stored to its normal position the valve isclosed.

It is evident that the valve may be so located in said chamber as to beopened either from above or from below. Inv case the valve is, openedfrom below, as shown in the drawings,

it will be necessary to provide the lever G with 8 5 a weight, G whichmaybe so adjusted as'to counteract the pressure of steam upon saidvalve. The outer end of the valve-chamber is adapted to be connected tothe waste-pipe H by means of a slip-joint, I, similar to the 0 joint D,secured to said chamber by means of a nut, I, with proper interveningpacking.

Attached to the vessel A is a weighted 1ever, A provided preferably witha lug or stop, a, adapted to prevent the vessel from tipping too farin'thatdirection. This weighted lever is secured to said vessel on theend adjacent to the supporting-arms B l3. The vessel is also provided atthe opposite end with an adjustable stop, A adapted to prevent its 10otipping too far when tilted by the accumulation of condensed water. Forthis purpose the stop A? may be provided at the top with a vertical slotto receive a bolt or set-screw, a".

The slip-jointD is connected firmly with the pipe 0, andthe joint I isalso connected firmly with the pipe H, so that said joints are stationary; but at their opposite ends said joints sel, adapted to carrythe steam above the con- 5 5 weighted lever A, when the vessel tilts, as

shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The stop G strikes the floor orbase of the trap, lifts the end of the lever G, thereby opening thevalve, and the water is discharged. This done, the vessel tilts backinto a state of equilibrium and the valve is closed.

I prefer to cast the pipes a and E integral with the vessel A, and tosecure the arms B B to said vessel by suitable bolts; but I do not limitmyself to such a method of construction.

It is evident that in a steam-trap so constructed the operation of themechanism is an tomatic and can at all times be observed.-

If desired, a strainer, K, may be located over the mouth of the pipe Ewithin the vessel A. 'I design to construct said traps either with orwithout such strainer. Its use would tend to prevent the passage ofsediment into the pipe E and to the valve; also, a cock, L, may belocated in the vessel in suitable manner, as shown, or an expansionair-valve.

I am aware of Letters Patent No. 237 ,698; but the invention thereindescribed and shown is essentially different from the appliances claimedby me.

What I claim is 1. An automatic steam-trap for the dis Y charge ofcondensed water from steam-pipes,

consisting of the combination, with asuitable receiving-vessel providedwith an interior pipe adapted to carry the steam above the wa ter insaid vessel and a discharge-pipe provided with an exterior valve, of alever arranged and adapted to hold said valve closed when the vessel isin ahorizontal position, and to open said valve when the vessel istilted, and in connection therewith an axial support, whereby the vesselmay be suitably connected with the inlet steam-pipe and thedischargepipe, and means whereby the vessel may be caused to return to ahorizontal position when relieved of its surplus water, substantially asdescribed.

2. An automatic steam-trap for the discharge of condensed water fromsteam-pipes, consisting of the combination, with a suitable receiving-vessel provided with an interior pipe adapted to carry the steam abovethe water in said vessel and a discharge-pipe, of supporting-arms at oneside the center of gravity communicating with said pipes, an exteriorvalve located in the discharge-arm, a lever arranged and adapted to holdsaid valve closed when the vessel is in'a horizontal position, and toopen said valve when the vessel is tilted, axial connections whereby thevessel may be connected with the inlet and exit pipes, and a weightedlever adapted to return said vessel to a horizontal position whenrelieved of its surplus water, substantially as described.

- 3. An automatic steam-trap for the discharge of condensed water fromsteam-pipes,co11sisting of a suitable receiving-vessel provided with aweighted lever, an inlet steam-pipe, an interior pipe connectedtherewith, adapted to carry the steam above the water in thereceiving-vessel, a discharge-pipe provided with a suitable exteriorvalve and valve-stem, a lever connected with said valve-stem and adaptedto open said valve when the vessel is tilted out of a horizontalposition, and to keep said valve closed when said vessel is relieved ofsurplus water, and in connection therewith axialslip-j oints adapted toconnect said inlet and discharge pipes with the steam and waste pipes,whereby the vessel may be tilted, sub stantially as described.

4. An automatic steam-trap for the discharge of condensed water fromsteam-pipes, consisting of a suitable vessel provided with a cock andweighted lever, an interior inlet -pipe adapted to carry the steam abovethe water in said vessel, an exitpipe provided with a strainer,supporting inlet and outlet arms communicating with said inlet and exitpipes, a valve located in the outlet-arm, a lever arranged and adaptedto hold said valve closed when the vessel is in a horizontal position,and to open said valve when the vessel is tilted out of said position,and in connection therewith axial joints whereby the supporting-arms maybe connected with the steam and waste pipes, and anti-friction rollerssupporting said arms, substantially as described.

5. An automatic steam trap for relieving steam-pipes of condensed water,consistingof a receiving-vessel provided with an interior inlet-pipeadapted to carry the steam above the condensed water, and an exit-pipeprovided with a valve exterior to said vessel, and in combinationtherewith a lever arranged and adapted to hold said valve closed whenthe vessel is in a horizontal position, and to open said valve when thevessel is tilted out of said position, axial supports located one sidethe center of gravity of the said vessel, whereby it may be suitablyconnected with the steam and waste pipes, stops whereby the vessel maybe prevented from tilting too far in either direction, and means wherebyit may be caused to return to ahorizontal position when relieved of itssurplus water, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in presence of twowitnesses.

hi JOHN MOREHEAD.

mark.

